Fence-machine



No. 6l7,00l. Patented Ian. 3, 1899. A. D. WILKINSON.

FENCE MACHINE.

(Application filed Sept. 8, 1898.) (No Model.)

@QCHEQ CHE Q @IQC O o G 6 H 6 Z I ll" i I 7 I 7 49 0 Eb W J) Jim WHEY? Eg e. W [am momma c NITEU dramas ARISTA D. \VILKIN SON, OF FRUITS, INDIANA.

FENCE-MACHINE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,001, dated January 3, 1899. Application filed September 3, 1898. Serial No. 690,238. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARISTA D. WILKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fruits, in the county of Montgomery and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to wirefence machines for making wire fencing by the provision of vertical pickets of stee1,wire, or wood or the attachment of wire stays on horizontally-stretched line-wires, and has for its object the production of a machine of the character described which consists in the peculiar construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts, as will be fully set forth in the following description and claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine entire. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same on the line m n, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail plan of the inner side of an adjustable collar. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a wiretwisting sprocket-wheel. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the adjustable operating mechanism. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line 0 1), Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a lower detached portion of the staff for showing the long central slot through which passes the endless operating-chain. Fig. 8 is a detail View of a modification of my wire-twisting sprocket-wheel. Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the same on the line y ,2, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a piece of fencing produced by my machine. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a section of fencing, showing modifications produced by my ma chine.

A represents the vertical supporting-stafi of my machine; B, the endless operating sprocket-chain; C, an adjustable collar; D, a wire-twisting sprocket-Wheel; E, an adj ustable operating-frame; F, a master sprocketwheel, and G a hand-crank.

I'I indicates the vertical pickets of my fenoing, I the horizontal line-wire, and J the wire tension-jack, which may be of the usual ordinary construction.

The vertical supporting-staff A has an upper and a lower long central slot A, through which passes the endless operating sprocketohain B, and a handle A at its upper end for steadying the machine when operating the same. The endless sprocket-chain B is of the usual ordinary construction. The adj ustable collar 0 and the wire-twisting sprocketwheel D being duplicated several times in my machine renders a description of one of them sufficient for all. An adjustable collar C comprises two similar sections C,which have each a vertical groove 0 for the reception of the staff A, a pair of through-bolts C for rigidly securing said sections to the staff, annular openings 0 for receiving the wire-twisting sprocket-wheel D, and projecting parts 0 which prevent pressure of the sprocketwheel by the sections 0. The adjustable collar C may be moved longitudinally on the staff A by loosening the through-bolts O and rigidly secured in the desired position by tighteningthem. The wire-twistingsprocket- Wheel D, mounted between the sections 0 of the adjustable collar, has its peripheral edge provided with spur-teeth which mesh with the endless sprocket-chain B and at its sides annular hubs D, which fit the annular openings O of the adjustable collar, Within which it revolves.

D designates a central opening through the sprocket-wheel for the reception of a strand of horizontal line-wire, and D refers to a twisting-finger mounted rigidly in a suitable opening in the hub portion of the sprocket-wheel. The outer end of the twisting-finger D is pro vided with a deep groove. D which also receives the strand of horizontal line-wire and the looped portion of a vertical stay-wire picket, which it twists around the strand of line-wire, as shown in Fig. 10.

In the modification of the sprocket-wheel shown in Figs. 8 and 9 I provide two openings D within the annular hub portion on a diametrio line for receiving two strands of horizontal line-wire for making what is com monly known as picket fence by providing a vertical picket between the line-strands and then twisting the strands after the provision of the picket as much as may be desired, as shown in Fig. 11. It will also be seen from said figure that the vertical picket may be arched or straight. In this form of the sprocket-wheel D a projecting stud D is provided for the purpose of twisting staywires about the double strand of line-wire, if desired.

The adjustable operating-frame E has a vertical rectangular opening E for the reception of the staff A, a through-bolt E which passes through a suitable opening in the wings of the frame for rigidly securing it to the staff, a long slot E in the projecting part of the frame for the reception of the master sprocketwheel F, and an adjustable U -shaped bearingbracket E rigidly fixed on the projecting part of the frame by means of through-bolts E The U-shaped bearing-bracket E is provided on the under side with a long rib E on each wing, which fits a long slot E at each side of the large slot E of the projecting part of the frame for permitting the bearing-bracket to be adjusted and positioned longitudinally on the projecting part of the frame, as may be desired, without losing its alinement. The through-bolts E pass through suitable openings in the wings of the bearing-bracket E, with their lower portions projecting through and below the long slots E at each side of the large slot E of the projecting part of the frame for the purpose of rigidly securing the adjustable bearing-bracket E in the position desired by tightening the nuts on the lower ends of the bolts.

E refers to transverse grooves at the inner ends of the wings of the bearing-bracket, which are provided for the purpose hereinafter mentioned. The master sprocket-wheel F has the usual spur-teeth at its peripheral edge and central spindles F projecting laterally from its sides, which are adapted to fit the transverse grooves E of the adjustable bearing-bracket E within which they freely rotate when manipulated with the hand-crank G. It will be seen that each end of the projecting spindle F of the mastersprocket-wheel has a crank-head for the reception of the hand-crank, which permits it to be placed and operated on either end for the convenience of either a left or right hand operator. The master sprocket-wheel F meshes with the endless operating-chain B, which it impels in the direction of its own revolution. By this peculiar construction of the adjustable operatin g-frame E it may be vertically adjusted and rigidly positioned on the staff A by the manipulation of the through-bolt E and its U- shaped bearing-bracket E may be longitudinally adjusted and securely positioned on its projecting part by themanipulation of the small through-bolts E for properly meshing the master sprocket-wheel F with the endless chain B for operating the same.

Many different designs of fencing in details of construction may be produced with my machine; but it will suffice to show the main designs in fencing produced by my ma chine which are necessary in common use, as is shown in Figs. 10 and 11, which are made on a smaller scale than the other views of the drawings for the purpose of convenience.

In Fig. lOis shown what is commonlyknown as the stay-twist fence, which comprises the stretched horizontal line-wire I, which may be of two or more strands, but which I have shown as comprising seven strands, and the vertical stay-wire H, which is twisted around each horizontal line-strand, as shown by the operation of the wire-twistin g sprocketwheels D of my machine. H indicates a vertical stay-wire, positioned in the proper attitude with relation to the horizontal line-wire for being applied thereto by the operation of my machine, which when in position occupies an intermediate position on the horizontal line-wires I, which pass through the central openings I) of the wire-twisting sprocketwheels between the properly-positioned vertical stay-wire II and the tension-jack J. The vertical stay-wire has end portions H bent at right angles parallel with the upper and lower line-wire I and is provided with loops H at each intermediate line-wire I. The end portions H and the loops 11 are inserted into the deep grooves D of the twisting-fingers D of the sprocket-wheels D, which wind them about the horizontal linewires I, as shown at H H in Fig. 10, by the operation of my machine.

In Fig. 11 is shown what is usually termed picket fence, which comprises the horizontal line-strands I, which I have shown as seven in number, but which may be of two or more strands and the vertical pickets H secured therein. It will be seen that the vertical pickets H may be arched or straight and that the horizontal line-strand I consists necessarily of two wires which pass through the two small openings D of the modification of the wire-twisting sprocket-wheels shown in Figs. 8 and 9, which twist the two wire strands about the vertical picket H as often as may be desired by the operation of my machine, which is positioned on the horizontal linestrands between the vertical pickets which have been applied and the tension-jack ordinarily used in stretching and holding the horizontal line-strands.

The tension-jack J which I do not claim as a part of my invention, is merely shown to indicate that the free ends of the horizontal line-wire and strands are connected, as usual, with an ordinary tightening and holding device, which it is unnecesary for me to describe in detail. The other end of the line-wire and strand, as is the usual custom, is attached to an ordinary end or anchor post and the intermediate portion with line-posts.

My invention is operated as follows: The endless sprocket-chain B passes over the upper and lower wire-twisting sprocket-wheels and alternately in the front and the rear of the intermediate sprocket-wheels and through the long central slots of the stafi around the master sprocket-wheel, which imparts motion to each wire-twisting sprocket-wheel when the master sprocketfwheel is revolved with the hand-crank by the operator. The motion of the sprocket-wheels twists the end portions and intermediate loops of the vertical stay-wire positioned in its proper attitude about the horizontal line-wire, which passes through the central openings of the sprocketwheels. In the modification of the wire-twisting sprocket-wheels in my machine the linestrands necessarily consist of two wires to a strand, and also pass through the central openings of the sprocket-wheels, the wire strands being wound about the vertical pick ets which pass between each wire of the linestrand and rigidly secure the picket in the desired position. The vertical pickets, vertical stay-wire, and my machine are positioned in proper relation to the horizontal line wires and strands, as has been fully described hereinbefore.

Having thus fully described my machine and set forth the operation and advantages thereof, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fence-machine comprising a vertical staff having a handle and long central slots at its upper and lower end, a series of adjustable collars mounted on the staff and having two similar sections in each collar provided with a pair of through-bolts, vertical grooves, annular openings and projecting parts for the purpose named, a series of Wire twisting sprocket-wheels revolubly mounted in the annular openings of the adjustable collars and having spur teethed peripheries, annular hubs, central openings, and projecting fingers provided with deep grooves as and for the purposes set forth, an adjustable operatingframe mounted on the stafi having a vertical rectangular opening, a through-bolt, a proj ecting part provided with a long central slot and long narrow slots at each side of the central slot,a U shaped bearin g-bracket provided with ribs on the under side of each Wing and through-bolts for rigidly securing it to the frame as and for the purpose set forth, a master sprocket-Wheel provided with central projecting spindles which are mounted in the transverse grooves of the adjustable operating-frame, an endless sprocket-chain which encircles the master sprocket-wheel and the wire-twistin g sprocket-wheels in the manner and for the purpose set forth, and means for operating the same, all substantially as shown and set forth.

2. In a fence-machine, the combination of a vertical staff, a series of adjustable collars, each collar composed of two sections and provided with vertical grooves, a pair of th roughbolts, annular openings and projecting parts for the purpose named, a series of wire-twist ing sprocket-wheels mounted in the annular openings of the adjustable collars and having spur-teethed peripheries, annular hubs, central openings and twisting-fingers provided with deep grooves as and for the purpose set forth and means for operating the same, sub stantially as specified.

3. In a fence-machine, the combination of the vertical staff, a series of adjustable collars, each collar composed of two similar sections, a series of revoluble wire-twisting sprocketwheels mounted in the annular openings of the adjustable collars made in the manner and for the purposes set forth and an adjustable operating-frame securely mounted on the vertical staff having a vertical opening, a through-bolt, a projecting part provided with a long central slot and narrow slots at each side of the central slot a U-shaped bearingbracket provided with ribs on its under side and through-bolts for securing it to the projecting part and means for operating said parts, all as and for the purposes set forth.

ARISTA D. W'ILKINS'ON.

In presence of- OLIVER U. PERRIN, J. M. WILLIs. 

